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Saturday 29 September 2012

Rescue remedy

Over the past couple of weeks several things have happened in my life that have brought my attention to the word 'rescue', and that have caused me to believe that God is speaking to me of the importance, not only  of my small part in His great plan to rescue  mankind through the spreading of the gospel of salvation through His Son Jesus, but also of  the importance of building only according to His plan.  I felt to share these experiences on my blog and if it is of any encouragement to anyone who reads it then so be it.
 

A week ago last Thursday I was driving home after shopping in a near by town. As I approached the turn off into our road  I noticed a hedgehog lying upside down on the pavement outside a house.  I wondered if it was still alive as it didn't appear to have been physically injured in any way, but remembered that I had frozen food in my shopping bags so could not stop to see to it right away.  I drove up to my house which was not far away, put the frozen food in the freezer and, after explaining to my husband about the hedgehog, came back down to where I had seen it.  My plan was to put it in a bag, bring it home and maybe put it comfortable in the shed and try to nurse it back to health if  possible, before releasing it back into the countryside.

When I returned opposite to the place where I'd seen the hedgehog, there was a man gently picking it up and placing it in the back of a red van.  I pulled the car into the curb and got out to call to the man, asking him if the hedgehog was still alive.  He came across the road and said that the hedgehog was still warm and that he was hopeful that it would survive.  We had a wonderful conversation, the man telling me that he rescued many animals and had recently taken home a squirrel that he had found lying on the side of the road.  He told me he used a product called 'rescue remedy', a herbal remedy used for calming after stress.  He went on to say that the squirrel had come around within minutes of being given this remedy and was able to be released.  I told him he had made my day, we said our goodbyes and off I went to my home, believing that the hedgehog would soon be returning to his.

The following day my friend and I met up in the coastal town where we come together to do evangelising with leaflets that we have felt to put together with poetry and scripture, (the content of my own leaflets  I have put on my other blog (  www.fatherithankyouforjesus.blogspot.co.uk ).


After a lovely afternoon, meeting some very nice people, we went into the market to have a look around the stalls.  As we passed a fish stall I noticed a lobster there with its claws taped up.  Suddenly its antennae moved.  I walked a couple of steps away from the stall and started to get very upset, as I remembered hearing that lobsters are alive when cooked.  I said to my friend 'I can't leave it there'.  We decided we would split the cost and buy it, which we did.  We walked down to the beach, untied the lobster's claws and set it free, praising the Lord as we watched it regain strength and go off into the sea.


I started to think that there was something that was being brought to my attention regarding 'rescue', as two separate incidents had occurred involving rescue in just two days.  That Sunday I went to church and the pastor there said he'd had a dream which he would share with us later, and then we shared one with another anything which we felt to share, either from scripture or testimony.  I related what had happened on the Thursday and the Friday.  The pastor later shared his dream which was about him standing in a  place and walking to a very high drop where someone was about to jump over the edge.  He said he pulled him back, and felt that the dream spoke of rescue.  I was even more sure that I was hearing a message from the Lord.

Then, one day last week I was looking on a blog in which the writer spoke of two dreams he'd  had, both spoke to me of rescue, the first one of his own rescue by calling on God in the name of Jesus, and the second one of the need for rescue of others.  The post is called  'Jephyr's Dream: On A Lake In A Storm, Alone And Blind,' and was posted on Seprember 13th 2012, and the blog is www.artmusicpoliticsfaithhopeandlove.blogspot.co.uk



Then on Saturday I was painting a garden arch with a green, water based paint and a spider suddenly dropped down onto the soil covered in the paint.  I have a bit of a phobia about spiders, but it distressed me so much to see the little creature in such a state that I ended up picking it up and, as both of the garden bird baths were empty, rushing into the kitchen and washing it gently in cold water in my hand.  Thankfully all the paint came off it and it was able to be put onto a bush in the garden.

Now many people might think that I am over the top concerning little creatures but I have always been like it.  I cannot use slug pellets or kill insects wilfully.  That is why I believe God chose to speak to me in this way, because He  knows that by doing so His message would make an impact.  He allowed me to be in a position where a deep concern for something in a dangerous position would drive me to want to rescue.

In the same way that I desperately wanted to rescue the suffering, dying creatures  and return them  to their true home, so too God wants to rescue mankind from their suffering and spiritual death and return them to their true home.  He loves us with a greater love than we could ever have, a love that brought about an unimaginable sacrifice.


I believe the experiences with the hedgehog and the lobster, and the dreams showed me my personal responsibility as far as evangelism is concerned.  However I believe the experience with the spider showed me something else as well.


Washing the spider with water reminded me of Ephesians ch.5 v.26 which speaks about the church,  'That He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word...'   There is a set plan for the church to grow and it is clearly written in the scriptures. One plants, one waters but God adds the increase, and the Lord has assigned to each his task.  1 Corinthians ch. 3 v.10, 11 says ' But each one should be careful how he builds. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ'. 

Also Ephesians ch. 4 v.11 says 'And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up'.    1 Corinthians ch. 14 vs 26 - 31    gives clear instruction of how things must be when God's people gather together  'What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. All of these must be done for the strengthening of the church.  If anyone speaks in a tongue, two--or at the most three--should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret.  If there is no interpreter, the speaker should keep quiet in the church and speak to himself and God.  Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said.  And if a revelation comes to someone who is sitting down, the first speaker should stop.  For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged.'    Sometimes we might try to 'build God's house' by all sorts of ways, even trying to add to the numbers by trying to attract people in with worldly things.   A spider builds his own house, the web. Job ch.8 vs.13 - 15 reads 'such are the paths of all who forget God; the hope of the godless man shall perish. His confidence breaks in sunder, and his trust is a spide's web ( this word is translated 'house' in the hebrew)

I believe the Lord used the spider to show me that if we forget God, and His instruction in the 'building,' then we will have a very fragile ' house'.  Just as the spider builds his own home we, God's children can be building our own spiritual house if we try to build any way other than how the Lord is instructing us.  Psalm 127 v.1 says ' Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it:'



A few days ago,  I had a very vivid dream just before I awoke.  The phone was ringing in my house and I went to answer it, but there were all sorts of things in my way, stopping me from getting to the phone.  By the time I reached it and picked it up the phone had been layed down the other end but I could still hear what was going on.  It was our son who had phoned and I could hear everything that was going on in his house, but it was as if he had given up waiting for me to answer his call.

I have to ask myself.  Is the Lord pointing out to me that the clutter of 'man's attempts to build' in God's house is sometimes causing  His children who are trying to connect with Him to 'put the phone down' and stop trying?


Strange...... Two days after I put this post on I have to add something.  I have just come home after being out for most of the day to find two emails from our son.  He is asking me if I want one of his spare mobile phones.  He says I can choose which one I want.   One is in it's original packaging and has a manual with it.  My son knows nothing about my post on my blog.  I believe absolutely that God is echoing the emphasis on communication His way, as it has been for two thousand years, with His manual.
 

24 comments:

Eya Ayambem said...

Oh my, I am so happy about the lobster. God will replace the money spent to buy it. You mean you spent your hard earned money and bought something that could be used for food just to release it back into the wild? I am so inspired! It is just like you doing for the lobster what Jesus did for us. Paying the price to set us free. Thanks.

child of God said...

Prophetic! I get the chills reading this post. You know, the specific Holy Spirit presence chills. I just love how God speaks to you. :)

Thanks for sharing Brenda. I do believe I will have to read this a few more times.

Blessings,
<><

child of God said...

Just after I signed out of here, I went to read a daily devotion that I receive via email and this is the Bible passage that was header.

Then He said to me, "Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, 'Thus says the Lord GOD, "Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they come to life."' So I prophesied as He commanded me, and the He said to me, "Prophesy to the breath. Prophesy, son of man. Tell the breath, 'GOD, the Master, says, Come from the four winds. Come, breath. Breathe on these slain bodies. Breathe life!'" So I prophesied, just as he commanded me. The breath entered them and they came alive! They stood up on their feet, a huge army. — Ezekiel 37:9-10 msg

I very rarely read the Message version of the Bible as it changes the Word too much for my liking, but this passage, in the way it is worded, directly linked my mind to your post.

God is stirring and it just makes me think He is about to make His entrance.

Blessings,
<><

Brenda said...

Yes Joy,
it spoke to me exactly of how Jesus paid the price to set us free. The importance of evangelizing is so great because I believe absolutely that we are in the end times and there are many people who need to be brought into the Kingsom. The money was not the important thing.
God bless you.

Brenda said...

Hi Child of God,
I was only thinking about you this morning and wondering how you are. Yes, when I feel I am in the presence of the Holy Spirit I feel like that as well. I always feel that way in intercessory prayer. Thankyou for sharing the daily devotion, I don't believe anything is coincidence. I read recently that there is no word in the Hebrew for 'coincidenc'. I too believe we are in the end times, and that it is essential that we do whatever the Holy Spirit requires of us, both outside with unbelievers and inside with one another.
My friend and myself find that in the coastal town where we meet up to evangelize, there are more and more people evangelizing. We get a lovely response from quite a few people as well. If it would be just one it would be celebration time. We pray that what has been planted will be watered and that God will add the increase.
God bless you, and hope to see you back on the blogging when you feel ready to.

T-Childs said...

Great post Brenda; how you weave scripture into everyday experiences is thrilling and always worth reading.

Just Be Real said...

Brenda thank you for sharing such an inspiring post. Hugs.

Brenda said...

Hi Tim,
I think that this is there for everyone, things around them speaking to them, but maybe not everyone recognizes it. I remember when I first came to know Jesus I used to use a phrase when talking to people about Him. It was 'Tune in to radio Jesus'.

Brenda said...

Hi JBR,
hope you are ok, big hugs back.

LR Photography said...

Great post Brenda!

Brenda said...

Thankyou for visiting,
I enjoyed your pics very much, and the quotes.

Jephyr said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Jephyr said...

Hi Brenda, It would seem many of us are getting a similar rescue message. It is clear from your animal and critter rescues that you have a tender heart...but I've noticed too often people get "stuck" there and sometimes forget people need "rescue" too!!

The scripture quotes from Ephesians really spoke to me...thank you for sharing them and your personal thoughts.

It looks like God is speaking to many of us through our dreams and your take on the "call from your son" seems like a good Godly interpretation.

Thank you also for the link...it works great and I've gotten some traffic from your blog! : )

God Bless!

Brenda said...

Hi Jephyr,
glad you have got some traffic from this blog, you have a lovely site so it is well worth visiting. I see many people on the streets that need rescue, both from physical dangers and spiritual dangers. We can help with the physical where we are able, but we can only point the way to the spiritual help which is the greatest rescue of all time. All credit for that rescue goes to God the Father and Jesus Christ, speaking to each of us through the Holy Spirit.

Priscy said...

You know, I have added your blog to my blogroll so I can get an update anytime you make a new post. Was going to drop a note checking up on you the other time and realized you had commented on a post I made.

Brenda, ever since I got to know your blog, you have been an inspiration to me, God bless you, you nailed this one too. Just that, left to me alone, that spider would have probably died cos' I cant bring myself to touching it... they scare my very bone! lol.
Happy new month, may the good Lord continue to be gracious to us and give us peace.

Brenda said...

Priscy,
I was only thinking about you yesterday. I have not had enough time to check many blogs this last week. There is a long story attached to the Lord helping me get over my fear of spiders. Do you know, I love interacting with people on blogs, I feel like this is an on-line church. The Bible tells us that where two or three are gathered in Jesus' name, there He is in the midst of them. In the old testament, the name usually reflected the character, and that is what it means, when we are gathered together in the character of Jesus, there He is in the midst of us. We are built up by one another, whether in a building or on line. God bless you Priscy.

Darryl Orrell said...

This is a beautiful post Brenda and one so rich in personal testimony and well anchored in scripture. The world today is rapidly growing in number with those who treat life of any kind other than their own as being trivial, but what the world needs are more Christians such as you who are not merely hearers of the word, but doers of the word.

Blessings!
Thought of the Week Devotion

Brenda said...

Hello Darryl,
I can take no credit for (not always) being a doer of the Word. I think for me the word of God has always contained such love and perfection that I believe absolutely that when God is seen as He really is, through our mediator Jesus and our teacher the Holy Spirit, then nobody would turn away. I do believe that the antichrist is doing his job of trying to replace the real church with something that has no power. The power can only be in God Himself and His plan, not a substitute, but there will only be One winner and if we each do what the Lord wants us to do then others will be brought in. If we don't, then God will use someone else anyway, but I would say there is nothing to compare with what we have in Christ, and I think you would too Darryl.
God bless you in your ministry.

Unknown said...

Miss Brenda,

You are something else! I declare that nobody seems more in tune with the Lord and His message than you. I just hung on every word you wrote here...knowing there was a message in it because God often sends me to you when He has a message. This time, it was Him telling me that I'm on the right path and to just stay there and trust Him. He knows I've been living alone for 8 years and have kept myself chaste and virtuous out of a faith that one day a husband will come. I have often thought that this is a waste of time and that I'm withering away, aging, and alone and all for what? Today, He tells me through your writing that it's for His purpose and plan for my life...that's what. In other words, the text "building your own house is like a spider web". He wants me to know that although I am impatient at times, confused, and on occasion lonely, I am thus out of faith. I believe with all of my heart that I have been able to remain this way because He's strengthened me to be so. If I venture away from this life and into what I think I should be doing it will fail, I will stand in His way for me, and the world will creep in slowly until it consumes me and I become like the world once more. He didn't save me for that. I must remain faithful and continue to build my house on the rock! Praise God! Thank you for being such an obedient woman of God.

By the way, I want you and your countrymen to know that what you do for these animals is outstanding. In America, an animal is hit daily on the roads and highways and left to perish. Often slowly and painfully. Rarely if ever are these creatures of God rescued. I found your hedgehog tale to be a beautiful testament to love and kindness. I LOVED the story of the lobster as much. But how did that spider not drowned? hahahaha. I felt so good reading those words knowing that there is one lobster who got a second chance to live. I will forever wonder what went through it's mind as you set it upon the sand once more. Amazing love!

Brenda said...

Kelline,
I wonder if you realize just how in touch with God YOU are yourself, never mind anyone else. I believe that is the main thing to remember, to allow the Lord to build the house. If something 'goes wrong' according to our way of thinking, it may just be 'right' according to God's plan. We only have to look at Joseph being thrown into a pit by his brothers to see that what appeared bad, God meant for good.
As far as my experiences with the little creatures were concerned, even creatures themselves can have spiritual meaning to them as far as the scriptures are concerned. I was amazed myself at how the green paint simply washed the spider clean and it didn't drown, I absolutely believe it was all done by the power of God to reveal something to me. I have had many experiences that can only be attributed to God's intervention and presence, and I know many other people who have as I am sure you do. The day we stop believing that all things are possible with God is a day of doom.
God bless you Kelline, trust in the Lord with all your heart, He is faithful and just.

Jephyr said...

Brenda wrote> "All credit for that rescue goes to God the Father and Jesus Christ, speaking to each of us through the Holy Spirit."

An excellent reminder Brenda...it takes ALL the pressure off us trying to appeal to someone from our own understanding, with "our" words or arguments.

Thanks as always...have a Blessed day!! : )

Brenda said...

That would never work Jephyr, 'For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.' If I tried to do my own thing I would make a complete hash of things, although I must admit 'my own thing' now is wanting for someone what I know God has for them, and I enjoy talking to people and have always loved happy endings.
You have a lovely day too.

S. Knowles said...

This is a great post Brenda. Every time I read your post's I am glad I did, I always learn something. Your so right we need to do things God's way. That scripture you shared from psalms talking about, everyone labouring in vain if God isn't the builder. I never understood it or it went straight pass me until I read it here in your post.I love how God's Holy Spirit can guide us to truth through His saints.

Brenda said...

Hi Sateigdra,
Yes, there is only One master builder and I truly believe that if we just do what He asks us to do, with whatever gift He gives each one of us, then everything will be done according to the Father's plan. Jesus is a wonderful Saviour, full of the love of the Father, and wants everybody saved.